Final Exam Study Guide: Personality, Social Behavior, Psychological Disorders, and Treatment

Chapter 11: Personality

Definitions and Approaches to Personality

Personality refers to the unique and relatively stable patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that characterize an individual. Psychologists study personality to understand how people differ and what factors contribute to these differences.

• Definition of Personality: The enduring traits and characteristics that influence an individual's behavior across situations and over time.

• Main Personality Approaches:

  • Psychodynamic Approach: Focuses on unconscious motives and conflicts (e.g., Freud's theory of id, ego, and superego).

  • Trait Approach: Emphasizes measurable traits (e.g., Big Five: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism).

  • Humanistic Approach: Highlights personal growth and self-actualization (e.g., Maslow, Rogers).

  • Social-Cognitive Approach: Considers the influence of learning and social context (e.g., Bandura's reciprocal determinism).

• Characteristics of Each Approach:

  • Psychodynamic: Emphasizes childhood experiences, unconscious processes, and defense mechanisms.

  • Trait: Focuses on identifying and measuring individual differences in personality traits.

  • Humanistic: Stresses free will, self-concept, and the drive toward personal fulfillment.

  • Social-Cognitive: Examines how beliefs, expectations, and social experiences shape personality.

• Example: The Big Five model is widely used to assess personality traits in research and clinical settings.

Chapter 12: Social Behavior

Key Concepts in Social Psychology

Social psychology explores how individuals think about, influence, and relate to one another. It examines the impact of social environments on behavior, attitudes, and perceptions.

• Stereotype Theories: Stereotypes are generalized beliefs about groups of people. They can influence expectations and interactions, often leading to prejudice and discrimination.

• Attribution Theories: Attribution is the process of explaining the causes of behavior. Theories distinguish between internal (dispositional) and external (situational) attributions. Example: Fundamental Attribution Error—overestimating personal factors and underestimating situational factors in others' behavior.

• Attitude Theories: Attitudes are evaluations of people, objects, or ideas. Theories explain how attitudes form, change, and influence behavior. Example: Cognitive Dissonance Theory—people change attitudes to reduce discomfort from conflicting beliefs.

• Conformity and Obedience: Research (e.g., Asch's conformity experiments, Milgram's obedience studies) shows how group pressure and authority figures can influence individual behavior.

• Theories and Research about Behavior in Groups: Group dynamics affect decision-making, performance, and social influence. Example: Social Loafing—individuals may exert less effort in groups than when alone.

Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders

The Medical Model and Classification of Disorders

Psychological disorders are patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment. The medical model treats these disorders as illnesses with biological, psychological, and social causes.

• Medical Model: Views psychological disorders as diseases with symptoms, causes, and possible treatments. Emphasizes diagnosis, etiology, and prognosis.

• Classification: Disorders are classified using systems like the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

• Examples of Disorders: Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

• Application: Understanding disorders through the medical model helps guide treatment and research.

Chapter 15: Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Fundamental Concepts and Approaches to Treatment

Treatment of psychological disorders involves various approaches, each with unique concepts and techniques. The goal is to reduce symptoms and improve functioning.

• Psychotherapy: Involves talking therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy.

• Biomedical Therapies: Includes medication, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and other medical interventions.

• Key Concepts:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Focuses on changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.

  • Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious conflicts and past experiences.

  • Humanistic Therapy: Emphasizes personal growth and self-acceptance.

  • Medication: Used to manage symptoms of disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

• Example: Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed for major depressive disorder.